{"id":3282,"date":"2023-10-16T14:18:15","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:18:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/?p=3282"},"modified":"2023-10-16T14:20:57","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:20:57","slug":"what-is-gray-area-drinking-and-when-does-it-become-a-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/what-is-gray-area-drinking-and-when-does-it-become-a-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Gray Area Drinking and When Does it Become a Problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Drinking rose over the past few years as the country faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people used alcohol more frequently to cope with the stress of isolation, anxiety about getting sick, adjusted work schedules, and more during the height of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
But many people continue to use alcohol at higher rates than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend. Others may have concerns about their drinking\u2013even if they don\u2019t drink more than they should.<\/p>\n
The term \u201d gray area drinking\u201d may be used to describe patterns of drinking that do not meet the criteria for alcohol misuse or addiction, but do cause problems in people’s mental and physical health. This article will explore what gray area drinking is and how to recognize it.<\/p>\n
Reach out to the Arise Treatment Center staff now to learn about our holistic substance use disorder treatment programs or to find support at any stage of your recovery from addiction.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a> provides guidelines on moderate drinking, which is not linked to severe short or long-term complications. Moderate drinking is defined as:<\/p>\n The CDC defines a drink as:<\/p>\n Many standard drinks served in bars and restaurants may contain several servings of alcohol. For example, a large glass of wine may have several servings of alcohol under the CDC’s guidelines. Similarly, a regular pint of beer contains 1 \u2153 drinks as defined by the CDC.<\/p>\n If you have ever wondered if your drinking is problematic or felt that you might need to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume, you are not alone. Many people worry about their drinking from time to time. But when are these concerns warranted?<\/p>\n Gray area drinking is the term that refers to a level of alcohol consumption that falls between heavy, excessive drinking and occasional social drinking. Gray area drinking does not share many of the characteristics of alcohol addiction. People with gray area drinking do not typically have frequent hangovers or severe social, legal, or financial consequences.<\/p>\n Gray area drinking does not often sound alarm bells for people or their loved ones. In fact, people with concerns about their drinking may actually fall within the range of moderate drinking as defined by the CDC.<\/p>\n However, alcohol affects people differently. Even those who drink in moderation may experience concerning or problematic effects from their alcohol consumption. Some people may experience a hangover or become quickly intoxicated after just one or two drinks.<\/p>\n Gray area drinking is not a clearly defined set of rules or behaviors. Instead, it is a pattern of alcohol consumption<\/a> that is concerning to an individual.<\/p>\n Because gray area drinking depends on each person’s perceptions and experiences, it is challenging to create clear guidelines for what this term encompasses. However, there are some signs of gray area drinking you can watch out for.<\/p>\n You may wonder or worry about your drinking habits in secret. Even if no one else expresses concerns, you know how much you drink, how much energy and time you spend thinking about drinking, and the effects you experience when you drink.<\/p>\n The behaviors of people with alcohol addiction<\/a> are often very concerning to the people around them. Gray area drinking is different. People may drink in moderation or not drink enough to cause friends and family to be concerned.<\/p>\n While people with gray area drinking do not often experience the severe physical and emotional side effects that people with alcohol addiction do, it is still possible to have unwanted side effects from your drinking. These might include:<\/p>\n These side effects don\u2019t impair your functioning, but they may make you uncomfortable throughout the day. Others don\u2019t notice these symptoms, but you are aware of them.<\/p>\n People with gray area drinking may have difficulty cutting back or stopping drinking. They may be able to stop for a while and enjoy the results, such as better sleep or shedding unwanted pounds. However, they easily slip back into their old drinking patterns in time.<\/p>\n If certain events, people, or places create an urge to drink, you may be dealing with gray area drinking. These triggers may cause people to drink more than they intended to or when they didn’t plan to.<\/p>\n People who struggle with gray area drinking often go back and forth between wanting to stop drinking and allowing themselves to give in to cravings. They may feel strong in their convictions for a while but eventually, allow themselves to live in the moment and drink more than they intended to.<\/p>\n Gray area drinking may be a sign that you need help to regain control or develop healthier behaviors. Comprehensive substance abuse treatment can give you the skills and support you need to stop drinking and develop healthier, more sustainable habits.<\/p>\n The point at which gray area drinking becomes a problem can vary from person to person, and it depends on several factors. Here are some signs and factors to consider:<\/p>\n It’s important to remember that the line between social drinking, gray area drinking, and alcohol use disorder is not always clear-cut. If you’re concerned that your drinking is becoming a problem or that you might have developed an alcohol use disorder, seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or therapist is a proactive step.<\/p>\n If you are concerned about your drinking and believe you may struggle with gray area drinking, you are not alone. At Arise Treatment Center, our alcohol rehab program is designed to remove you from outside distractions and provide you with space for self-reflection and healing. In a home-style setting, you live among other patients in private or semi-private rooms for the duration of your stay. Our treatment program for alcohol addiction provides a safe, peaceful, and structured environment where you can focus on long-term sobriety.<\/p>\n Reach out to the Arise Treatment Center specialists today to learn about our supportive, comprehensive alcoholism treatment programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Drinking rose over the past few years as the country faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people used alcohol more frequently to cope with the stress of isolation, anxiety about getting sick, adjusted work schedules, and more during the height of the pandemic. But many people continue to use alcohol at higher rates than the Centers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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<\/span>What is Gray Area Drinking?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Signs of Gray Area Drinking<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>You worry about your drinking<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Others don\u2019t seem concerned<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>You have unwanted side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/span>It\u2019s hard to cut back<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>You are triggered<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>Conflicting thoughts<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span>When Does Gray Area Drinking Become a Problem?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>Find Support Now<\/span><\/h2>\n